Three venues for the FIFA Futsal World Cup Colombia 2016

Zurich, Jan 29, 2016: Making a four-day visit to Colombia this week, FIFA representatives have engaged in discussions with the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) on preparations for the upcoming FIFA Futsal World Cup, to be held in the country between 10 September and 1 October.

The inspection visit began on Tuesday in Ibague, where FIFA Event Manager Jaime Yarza, LOC Chairman and Colombian Football Association (FCF) General Manager Rodrigo Cobo, and Perla Alvarez of the Colombian Administrative Department of Sport (Coldeportes) met with the local authorities to check on the progress of construction work at the city’s new mini stadium.

Following the inspection it was decided that the city should be removed from the list of venues, which left Bucaramanga, Medellin and Cali as the tournament’s three host cities. The decision was announced at the press conference that concluded the inspection visit at the FCF’s headquarters in Bogota on Friday.

“In sharing the views of the Colombian FA, the mayor and Coldeportes, we felt it was impossible for Ibague to continue as a host city of the World Cup,” Yarza told the assembled media. “The previous administration failed to act on the promises it made and we have decided not to take any risks. We regret this course of action but it was the most prudent decision.” —- FIFA